Modified Log Cabin - The tutorial!

Let me preface this by saying that while I did come up with this on my own, I'm not claiming it's original.  All the thoughts were mine though, so no one should feel like I'm infringing on their work (except the wonderful folks who invented the Log Cabin design so many years ago).

Moving on.

I don't know if y'all knew this about me, but I use graph paper.  A lot.  I doodled this up the other day before I made these blocks.

 I used jelly roll strips (not Moda) to reduce the work.  For the sample quilt, I need 16 more blocks, so I cut the following:

• 4 each of light and dark strips cut to 4.5 inches and 16.5 inches.  This yields 16 total strips of each size, 8 in each colorway.
• 8 each of light and dark strips cut to 6.5 inches and 14.5 inches.  This yields 32 total strips of each size, 16 in each colorway.
• 8 each of light and dark strips cut to 8.5 inches and 12.5 inches.  This yields 32 total strips of each size, 16 in each colorway. 
• 4 each of light and dark strips cut to 10.5 inches and 10.5 inches.  This yields 32 total strips of this size, 16 in each colorway. 

I laid the strips out starting with the 4.5 inch strips.  For blocks where the A group is the light group, pick two each of the 8.5 and 10.5, and one each of the 4.5 and 16.5 strips in light colors.  Pick two each of the 6.5, 12.5, and 14.5 inch strips in dark colors.  For blocks where the A group is the dark group,  pick two each of the 8.5 and 10.5, and one each of the 4.5 and 16.5 strips in dark colors.  Pick two each of the 6.5, 12.5, and 14.5 inch strips in light colors.

Starting with the center block, sew the 4.5 inch strip to the right side.  Continue sewing strips on, building out working around counter clockwise.

Mini Flower Tutorial

So, bearing in mind that I borrowed inspiration for these from this tutorial, here's my version.


1. Start with squares of whatever size you'd like.  For this flower, these squares are 2x2 inches.  The completed flower is about 1.75 inches across.  For the flowers I've been using my bouquet and on the basket, I started with 4x4 inch squares, and the flowers are about 3.5 inches across.  You can use as many petals as you'd like, but I've found that 5 or 6 works best.

2. Fold the squares into quarters:

 3.  Cut along the raw edges to turn the squares into circles.  They don't need to be perfect circles, but the more rounded the edges, the more "horizontal poof" they'll have.  Yes, that is the technical term.

4. Starting on the side with two folds (right, in this picture), use a basic basting stitch along the curve.  Make sure to keep the same distance from the curve the whole way (so follow the curve, don't go straight across).  The folds should be about equal in size, so when you start and finish the petal, make sure you're the same distance from the edge on both ends, and you've started and finished about half the length of a fold from the edge.  So for example, if the desired amplitude (hush, I was a math major) is half an inch, start and end a quarter inch from the side.

 5. Repeat step 4 for all the petals.

 6. Complete the circle by following the thread back through the first and second petals.  Make sure you start the needle as close to the knot as possible, to minimize any awkward pulling.  Pull the thread tight, but do not tie off.  Lay the flower down and mold the petals with your fingers so they gather in the way you'd like.  Once you've achieved the right look, pull out any excess thread and tie off (I usually use one of the folded edges to base my tie-off knot). 

7. Make peace with your glue gun (I know, I know, it hurt you last time...but you *did* throw it against the wall, so you're sort of even).
8. Put a dot of glue in the middle of the flower, big enough to hold the button but not so big that it'll leak out.

9.  Place your button into the middle of the glue and gently press.  Let it sit for a minute or two to cool.

 10.  Turn the flower over, put another (smaller) dot of glue in the middle on the back.  Poke a piece of floral wire into the glue and let cool.  The length of the floral wire will be determined by your needs (if you need it at all).

11. Hold it up, be proud, and show it off!  Just make sure the glue is really cool before you try sticking it in your hair...

Here's how the final products looked for me:

Boutonnieres 

Bouquets